Ahead of polls, Bihar CM announces ₹15,000 pension for journalists

July 26, 2025 by News Desk

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a significant hike in the monthly pension for journalists in the state, raising it from Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 under the Bihar Patrakaar Samman Pension Scheme.

The announcement was made on July 26, just weeks ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections expected later this year.

The move is widely seen as part of a broader welfare push by the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance to strengthen its position before voters head to the polls.

In addition to the increase for retired journalists, Kumar also declared that in case of a pensioner’s death, their dependent spouse would receive a lifelong monthly pension of Rs 10,000, up from the earlier Rs 3,000.

Describing journalists as the “fourth pillar of democracy,” the Chief Minister said their welfare is essential so they can carry out their work independently and live with dignity after retirement.

He instructed the state’s Information and Public Relations Department to implement the changes immediately.

This announcement comes on the heels of several other welfare measures introduced by the state government in recent months.

In June, Nitish Kumar raised the social security pension for elderly, widowed, and differently-abled citizens from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100, benefiting more than one crore people across Bihar.

The Rs 1,227 crore disbursement was positioned by the government as a response to demands received during Nitish’s statewide “Pragati Yatra.”

Political observers believe these welfare schemes are aimed at consolidating support ahead of the high-stakes state elections. Opposition parties, particularly the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, have accused the government of mimicking their promises. The RJD has pledged to provide Rs 1,500 as a pension if it comes to power, setting the stage for a competitive welfare narrative between the two sides.

While the Nitish Kumar government frames these initiatives as recognition of journalists’ and citizens’ contributions to social development, the timing of the announcement has sparked debates over its electoral motives. With Bihar poised for a tightly contested election, these measures are expected to play a critical role in shaping the political conversation in the weeks

to come.